As I am writing this, we are well into the season of Lent, and Easter Sunday is approaching quickly. For many of us, this is a time of spiritual preparation that began on Ash Wednesday. But I have to be honest. This Lent feels different for me, and not in a good way. My sacrifice that I set out for Lent fell flat. I find myself with a little more than two weeks until Good Friday and Easter Sunday, coming to a deep realization of my need for God’s grace.
When our personal Lenten sacrifices fail, it is easy to feel discouraged. We want to be strong leaders for our families. We want to show our kids what discipline and faith looks like. Instead, I am staring at my own shortcomings.
This article is not about achieving spiritual perfection. It is an exploration of the profound grace available to us when we stumble. And that mercy can change how you lead your family, approach confession, and enter Holy Week with hope.
Together, we will look at the historical and spiritual meaning of Pascha. We will discuss why Sundays offer a reprieve from fasting, the truth about Holy Saturday, and the Easter egg symbol.
We will also touch on the power of the sacrament of confession and the meaning of the Sign of the Cross.
The Sunday Pause: Why We Don’t Fast on Sundays
Did you know that in the Catholic tradition, every Sunday during Lent is a day of the resurrection, much like Easter Sunday itself. That is why we do not fast on Sundays. Every Sunday is a celebration of Christ conquering the grave.
This brings a practical shift in our homes on Sundays. Kids are super happy that they get to eat candy, play that specific video game, or enjoy whatever they gave up for Lent.
God builds in days of rest and joy. He knows we need a moment to breathe, reconnect, and bond as a family. We are not robots. We have bodies and souls, and our value is not based on what we produce, but on who we are: children of God.
In the Jewish tradition, the Sabbath is a day of rest, a sign of the covenant. God provides for his people, even on the day they do not work. It’s a powerful reminder to trust in His providence.
The Thief on the Cross and the Miracle of Confession
Failing at our Lenten promises can leave us feeling like we’ve failed and that there is no hope. But then I think about the thief on the cross. Easter is a season of hope and new beginnings.
When Jesus was hanging on the cross, one of the thieves crucified next to Him repented. In his final moments, his simple repentance was met with Jesus’s promise of paradise. This is pure hope for me. On one hand, we see God’s incredible mercy. On the other hand, we see that we can open heaven if we simply repent and turn back to Him.
Courage, brothers and sisters. You can read our article on forgiveness and the benefits of saying, “I’m sorry.”
If there is one thing I am planning to do this Lent, it is to go to confession. I invite you to do the same. If you are struggling with the sacrament of confession or hesitating, I highly recommend checking out a YouTube video by Father Mike Schmitz called The Miracle of Confession. He explains it much better than I can, and it might be exactly what you need to hear to take that step.
What Did Jesus Do on Holy Saturday?
We know about Good Friday. We know about Resurrection Sunday. But a common question often comes up: What happened in between? What did Jesus do on Holy Saturday?
The theology of the Church teaches us about Christ’s descent to the dead. Jesus did not just wait quietly in the tomb. He descended into the realm of the dead, known as Sheol. He went there as a Savior to preach the good news and deliver the righteous souls who had died before Him.
This is a deeply comforting reality. Christ enters our darkest, most silent places to bring us out. When we feel stuck in the waiting, or buried by our own failures, Jesus is already working in the dark to bring us into the light.
Pascha: The Meaning and Length of Our Celebration
To really appreciate the season, it helps to understand the words we use. The Hebrew word Pesach (Passover) transitioned into the Christian term Pascha. Over time, in the English-speaking world, this became the word Easter.
No matter what you call it, the day is the crowning truth of the Christian faith. We celebrate Easter to honor Jesus Christ’s Resurrection and His definitive victory over sin and death.
But the celebration does not end on Monday. The Easter season is actually a 50-day celebration stretching from Resurrection Sunday all the way to Pentecost. Our joy is meant to outlast our penance. The Church gives us 40 days of fasting, but 50 days of feasting. Happy Easter Sunday!
The Sign of the Cross and the Empty Egg
Our faith is also physical. Think about the Sign of the Cross. When we touch our forehead, chest, and shoulders, we are doing something profound. The Catechism (CCC 2166) explains that this simple act dedicates our minds, our hearts, and our physical strength to the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. We are marking ourselves for God.
This physical expression carries over into our family traditions. One of the traditions for the kids is to break a large chocolate egg that is hollow inside. Some folks actually cut the egg the night before and fill it with toys. Then one of the kids, usually the oldest or youngest, breaks the egg open on Sunday morning.
The Easter egg symbol carries deep Christian meaning. Just as a chick breaks from a shell, the egg represents the rock tomb from which Christ emerged to new life. The Catholic Church embraces this beautiful symbol because God makes everything new. Breaking that hollow chocolate egg is a tangible reminder for our children of the empty tomb.
Making Every Sunday an Easter Sunday
Lent is a time for return. I wrote more about the meaning of Lent here. Easter is the celebration of our redemption. Because Christ rose on the first day of the week, every Sunday is meant to be a mini Resurrection Sunday.
Courage, brothers and sisters. Join me this Lent as we prepare for Easter. Let us commit to making Sunday a day for God, family, and rest.
Step away from your work. Put down the chores. Go to church as a family. Go out with your family afterward, watch a movie, or grill something nice outside. Take out your good Sunday plates. Make it special and have fun. Your kids will remember how you led them in both faith and joy.
When the chocolate is gone and the Lenten season fades, how will you let the reality of the empty tomb change the quiet moments of your everyday life?
